RETORT OT THE DIRECTOR 75 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



LIVE STOCK. 



The experiment commenced last year of grading up the common cattle of the 

 district, by the use of a pure-bred bull, was continued. The twelve heifers originally 

 chosen have all calved and have finished a lactation period between January 1, 1912, 

 and January 1, 1913. It will, of course, be some years before comprehensive and 

 final results can be announced, but the milk records and profits shown year by year 

 are of considerable interest. 



In feeding for beef, the results of the experiment commenced in January, 

 1912, and finished April 30. 1912, show that forty-five steers, divided into three lots 

 of 15 each, gave an average profit per steer of $11.23, $9.48 and $12.69 for the three 

 lots respectively. 



The experiment commenced this year was concluded on March 15, in time for 

 Easter delivery. There were thirty-four head under feed, one lot of ten and one of 

 twenty-four. The former gave an average profit per steer of $19.61 and the latter 

 one of $18.22. 



A sheep-feeding experiment was also conducted. Forty grade wethers were 

 divided into four lots of ten each and were fed different rations. The net average 

 profit of each group was : Lot 1, $1.43 ; lot 2, $1.37 ; lot 3, $1.43, and lot 4, $1.50 per 

 head in each case. 



A test of the value of skim-milk as a feed for swine was conducted during the 

 year, one lot being fed three pounds of skim milk per day and another, six pounds, 

 the other constituents of the ration being the same for both lots. Those fed the 

 larger quantity of milk made more economical gains, a saving of x% of a cent per 

 pound increase in weight being effected. 



CEREALS, CORN FOR ENSILAGE AND ROOTS. 



In cereals, eleven varieties of wheat ranged in yield from 36 bushels to 20 

 bushels per acre. Twelve varieties of oats ran from 97 bushels 20 pounds to 82 

 bushels 12 pounds per acre. Six varieties of six-row barley yielded from 59 bushels 

 8 pounds to 40 bushels per acre, and the same number of two-row sorts ranged from 

 62 bushels 24 pounds to 41 bushels 32 pounds. 



The pea crop was a very poor one, owing to the continued wet weather delaying 

 harvesting until September 24. The yields of ten varieties were from 17 bushels 

 20 pounds to 7 bushels 20 pounds per acre. 



Five varieties of buckwheat gave yields of from 47 bushels 24 pounds to 41 

 bushels 32 pounds per acre. 



The unfavourable season reduced the yield of Indian corn for ensilage, the 

 average being five tons of forage per acre. 



In roots, turnips yielded from 31 tons 1,000 pounds to 25 tons 700 pounds per 

 acre; mangels, from 25 tons 400 pounds to 10 tons 400 pounds; sugar beets, from 8 

 tons 200 pounds to 5 tons 100 pounds; and carrots from 16 tons 1,000 pounds to 12 

 tons 500 pounds. Nineteen varieties of potatoes ranged in yield from 413 bushels 

 20 pounds to 171 bushels 40 pounds per acre. 



FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 



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The apple crop was above that of 1911 in quantity, and equal to it in quality. 

 Most small fruits did fairly well, although there was some damage from the wet 

 weather which also delayed and, in some cases, prevented the maturing of vegetables 

 such as tomatoes, garden corn and melons. 



An exhibit of farm products was made at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibi- 

 tion, Halifax, N.S., and at the Colchester County Exhibition at Shubenacadie, N.S. 



